The Life of Prophet Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام - (Part 3)

Events of the Prophets

Prophet Yunus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام (Part 3)

Mawlana Abu Ubaid Attari Madani

The arrival of Angel Jibrīl عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام

Upon the command of Allah Almighty, Sayyidunā Jibrīl عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام arrived, and placing his mouth close to that of Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام, he said, “اَلسَّلام عَلیک! Allah Almighty sends His peace upon you.” Prophet Yūnus        عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام replied, “Welcome is the voice that I feared I would never hear.”

Exiting the fish

Then, Sayyidunā Jibrīl عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام said to the fish, “Allow Prophet Yūnus to leave by the command of Allah.” The fish gently placed him on the shore, and Sayyidunā Jibrīl عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام tended to Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام.^[1] According to one narration, Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام lost his vision and became so weak that he could not stand. Then, Allah Almighty created a pumpkin tree which had 4,000 branches. Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام was amazed at the freshness of the tree as he took shelter beneath it and rested.^[2]

Pumpkins grow on long vines which spread across the ground. This is a miracle, whereby the pumpkins grew on a tree and had large branches and leaves which Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام rested beneath.^[3]

Deer milk

Then, a deer came, and Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام drank its milk, granting him strength and good health.^[4] According to one opinion, Allah Almighty sent a mountain goat whose udders were full of milk. Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام consumed its milk until he was satiated, and the goat left. The goat would return again and again until Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام had completely recovered.^[5]

Blessings of Jibrīl’s hand

After that, Jibrīl عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام placed his hand on the head and body of Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام, which restored his vision and beard. Then, Allah Almighty commanded Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام to return to his nation.^[6]

The return to Nineveh

During the return journey to Nineveh, a shepherd from the nation walked by, and Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام asked him, “What happened to Yūnus?” The shepherd answered:

We do not know what happened to him, but we are aware that he was the greatest and most truthful man amongst us. He informed us about the punishment of Allah Almighty, and He was merciful to us because we repented. We do not know where he is, and we have not heard any news about him, but we are searching for him.

Udders filled with Milk

Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام asked, “Do you have any milk?” The shepherd responded, “Ever since we were separated from Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام, there has been no rainfall and the grass has not grown. (If the animals cannot eat, how can they produce milk?)”^[7] Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام requested for a sheep or goat to be brought to him, placed his hand on its stomach and said, “Through the command of Allah Almighty, produce milk.” Its udders became filled with milk, and both Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام and the shepherd drank it.

The shepherd’s belief

Upon witnessing this, the shepherd exclaimed, “If Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام is alive, it is certainly you.” He عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام affirmed his belief and requested, “Return to your people and give them my greetings.” The shepherd said, “The ruler announced that whoever brings him news of Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام with evidence will be made the new ruler. I fear the king will assume I am only telling him in order to become the new ruler.”

Testification of a tree, rock and goat

Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام said, “This goat will testify in your favour.” (Whilst pointing at a rock and a nearby tree,) he added, “This rock and tree will also testify for you.”^[8] After explaining the events to his people, the shepherd announced that he had proof. The people asked him to present it. (So, he took them to the tree,) and it said, “Yes! It is as he said. I testify that he is Messenger of Allah sent to you.” Then the stone testified in the same way.^[9]

According to one opinion, the tree and goat testified that the shepherd met Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام.^[10] “He has met Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام, and the prophet chose us to testify for the shepherd.” Then the shepherd moved towards the cliff under which they were sitting, and it said, “Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام sat for a while in the shade I provided. Go onwards towards the valley.” As the people approached the valley, they saw Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام standing in salah.^[11]

Goodness and blessings

The people greeted Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام and cried in happiness. After that, the people carried him to the city out of honour and respect. Allah Almighty sent them the blessings of rain and crops. Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام stayed in the city and invited towards good and prohibited evil.^[12]

Nation of Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام

The nation of Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام consisted of over 100,000 people. The Quran states:

وَ اَرْسَلْنٰهُ اِلٰى مِائَةِ اَلْفٍ اَوْ یَزِیْدُوْنَ

“And We sent him towards a hundred thousand people, rather more.”^[13]

Long silence

After leaving the belly of the fish, Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام prolonged his silence. Someone asked him, “Why do you not speak?” He answered, “Speaking is what caused me to enter the fish’s belly.”^[14]

Simplicity

Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام was a simple man and did not find anything to be troubling. One day, some people came to him, and he prepared food for them by breaking pieces of bread and adding vegetables.^[15]

Patience when mistreated

It is reported that some people went to Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام and saw that his wife would harm and verbally abuse him whenever he entered or left his home. Despite this, Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام remained silent. The people expressed their surprise at this matter, to which he عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام said, “Do not be amazed! I made duāˈ to Allah Almighty to test me in this world instead of the Hereafter. So, Allah Almighty stated, ‘Your trial is the daughter of so-and-so; marry her.’ Therefore, I married her, and I am patient when faced with the behaviour you witness.”^[16]

Worldly reward for conveying the prophet’s message عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام

After fulfilling his promise and making the shepherd the new ruler, the former king joined the righteous and ascetics in living a life full of worship.^[17] According to one narration, when Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام passed away, the people gathered to choose a new ruler. The intellectuals suggested that the shepherd who brought glad tidings of Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام was most deserving of becoming the ruler. Like this, the people elected him as their leader. The shepherd ruled for 40 years (and this was his reward in the world for conveying the prophet’s message).^[18]

Migrating from Nineveh

According to one opinion, when the people were on the correct path and obeyed the shariah, Prophet Yūnus     عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام asked Allah Almighty if he could leave the city and spend the rest of his life in worship. Allah Almighty permitted him, so he left.^[19]

Death and place of burial

The time between the death of Prophet Mūsā عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام and Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام was 815 years. Prophet Yūnus عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام is buried in Halhul, a town located between the tomb of Prophet Ibrāhīm عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام and Bayt al-Muqaddas.

There is a masjid and minaret near the tomb too. Many people travel from far and wide to visit the blessed shrine of this great prophet.^[20]